Improvement in fruit-boxes



n. PniiTzMANm FRUIT-BOX.

Patented Nov. 9, 1875.

71,4/4za/w4.

UNI'rED S'I'A'I'Es DANIEL PEIITZMANN, 0E cANToN, oHIo.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,841.

dated November 9, 1875; application filed September 3, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DANIEL PRiiTzI/IANN, of Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, Improvements in Fruit-Boxes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,-and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved fruit-box. Fig. 2 is a bottom view. Fig. 3 is a detached view of one of the sides.

In the drawings, A represents the sides, which I usually make of wood by cutting or stamping them out, having first softened them by steam. The slots a have at their lower ends lateral extensions a Each of the sides is provided upon its vertical edge with a groove or slit, ta which may be conveniently made with a'circular saw. By preference I make the sides slightlytapering, so that one box shall fit inside of another or nest. Into each of the grooves a I introduce either a flexible strip of cloth, leather, paper, or some equivalent material, or, otherwise, a stiff strip or plate, (J, of metal or wood, cementing, riveting, screwing, or in some suitable manner securing such strip in the grooves, and thus joining the sides in a square, hexagonal, or other desired form, ready to receive the bottom. The bottom B is provided with projecting ears I). (See Fig. 2.) One side of the bottom is curved, as at b. After the sides have been properly united the bottom may be placed therein by inserting the ears I) into the slots at, the arrangement of parts being such that as the bottom B approaches the lower ends of slots at the-curved side b will press against the side A, and spring it (the side A) outward, so that when the ears-b reach'the termination of slots a they (the cars) will snap into the lateral extension at Thus the bottom will be held firmly in its place, but can be readily taken out by springing outward that side of the box against which the curved part b of the bottom rests until the ears I) can escape through slots a. When the bottom has been removed, such boxes as have been constructed have invented certain new and useful with flexible cornerstrips G can be folded, and will occupy but little space. Of course the corner-strips 0 need not extend the entire height of the box, although, when a very strong box is required, these strips may be advantageously used the whole length of the groove in order to prevent splitting the sides, and with a flexible strip to prevent the box from falling apart if the sides do get split.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a construction adapted for boxes in which the sides are connected with each other by means of rigid corner-pieces, instead of the flexible ones shown in Fig. l, the method of attaching the parts by means of strips 0 inserted in the grooves or throats a whichare cut in the sides A, one such strip or rib being used at the upper edge and one at the lower edge of each side. D aresheets of veneer or other thin board, one upon each or both sides of the ribs. As various kinds of wood may be employed for the sides and the corner-pieces, the boxes may be made quite ornamental.

with'the slots at, having lateral extensions a, substantially as set forth.

in combination with the sides the slots a a substantially asv set curved Slklfi b, A, having forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as two witnesses. I

' DANIEL raurzMANN. Witnesses WILLIAM PRii'rzMANN, PERcY J. SoWERs.

When from any cause it is desired to have 2. In a packing-box, the sidesA, provided,

. 3. The bottom '13, having ears b and the my own, I affix my signature in presence of 

